Quake consequence: Fireworks in short supply before July

New York Times

Last update: May 16, 2008 - 9:21 PM

An explosion that destroyed 20 fireworks warehouses in China three months ago will probably dim night skies in the United States this July 4th.

Fireworks vendors said that because of the sudden shortage, fireworks like bottle rockets, ladyfingers and Roman candles, as well as mortars used in professional displays, will be hard to get, meaning many of the usual pyrotechnic extravaganzas across the country may have to be curtailed or canceled.

"Everybody in the industry is scared to death that their orders aren't going to get here in time," said Ken Sprague, president of Hamburg Fireworks Display in Lancaster, Ohio, which choreographs fireworks shows throughout the Midwest.

The blast on Feb. 14 in the Chinese port city of Sanshui shook homes miles away, and fireworks soared and burst in midair for more than 24 hours, according to local news reports. It is unclear whether anyone was harmed.

The accident led to a ban on fireworks shipments at all Chinese ports except two that are far from fireworks production areas, resulting in further delays.

"We're not getting much information about what caused the fire," said Julie Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association, which represents the $900 million fireworks industry in the United States. "We've heard reports ranging from improperly packaged material to a security guard flicking a cigarette."

The result, she said, is that exports of consumer fireworks from China are down 35 percent this year and professional display fireworks are down 40 percent.

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